Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) - Dayanita Ramesh

The Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North is an umbrella organization which represents 35 regional and ethnic organizations. RAIPON represents 41 groups of indigenous peoples of roughly 270,000 people who live in the North, Siberia and Far East. RAIPON seeks to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples, defend their legal interests, assist in environmental, social, economic, cultural and educational issues and works with the State Duma and Government of Russia in regards to self-governance issues. RAIPON is a Permanent Participant in the Arctic Council and also participates in the UN Economic and Social Council and Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum of the UN Environment Program.^[1]

RAIPON has had great difficulty operating in Russia; the government is wary of the organization’s international engagement (like in the Arctic Council). In 2012, RAIPON received a warning from the Russian Ministry of Justice about “irregularities in its organizational status” and possibility of being shut down. In 2013, after difficult legal battles with the Russian government, RAIPON was allowed to continue its activities. Russia has seen an “extensive hike in the level of industrialization in the north,” and RAIPON wishes to represent indigenous peoples in these economic and natural resource activities.^[2] It has been roughly eight months since RAIPON’s reinstatement, but it is difficult to say whether or not the organization has returned to its level of activity. As for their views on shipping, tourism and oil and gas, RAIPON also seeks greater influence on decision-making at the international level. Unlike the AAC however, RAIPON faces serious domestic barriers and great difficulty in conducting its work.